Eternity RPC Board
Premier's Manor
Severograd, Severyan D.P.R.
16 Dein 1582
It was strange for Stepan Dmitriev to be where he was now after a lifetime as an economist in Siora's largest communist nation. He had, in the course of his career, studied capitalism so few times he could count the incidents on one hand. Though he sat now before one of the now most famous men in Severyane's history, alongside four of his colleagues from universities across the nation, discussing something that would have been a criminal offense just fifteen years ago. It had shocked him really when the first words out of the Premier's mouth were "change" and "free-market." It was something Stepan never thought he'd experience in his lifetime. A smile played across his face as the Premier turned to face the five people again a look of intense commitment to change present on his face.
"As I've said, you five are consistently hailed as the best economists in our nation. I could have reached beyond our borders in the search for a method of transition, but that would only cheapen our step into a new era. I want this to be wholly a project of Severyan making. We start here, today. I expect it to be a long and arduous process, but I have nothing but the utmost faith that you five will be able to come up with an efficient plan for economic transition. Unfortunately for us, there is not much precedent for this sort of thing. We can look to Kubaniza and the other ex-USR nations for inspiration but, with the exception of our south-eastern neighbors, the ex-USR systems are fractured and corrupt or still have roots in a socialistic market. So tell me, gentlemen, have you any ideas thus far?"
He looked to the woman two chairs to his left, his partner in this whole venture as it were was Amalie Maslow a very brilliant woman and an equally brilliant economist. She raised her hand slightly to catch the Premier's attention before speaking. "Premier Radchenko, if I may, I have been constructing such a plan since you first contacted me. It involves an unorthodox method, certainly untested on such a scale as this, but in theory it would work brilliantly if it succeeds. If you'd like me to explain in detail I certainly will."
The Premier nodded to her. "I'd love to hear this theory Miss Maslow."
"It involves something known as shock therapy. We would very abruptly release controls on price and currency, we would privatize certain industries just as immediately, and we would withdraw state subsidies. We would also move to liberalize our trade as immediately as possible as well. Ideally it would not only stabilize the economy, but would actually pave the way for growth. The downside is, and I've discussed this with Dr. Stepan Dmitriev, the potential for social issues to arise is quite high. As such we would need to dedicate government funds to social programs to assist those effected by the inevitable fallout from the transition."
Stepan noticed that Amalie had stopped speaking and was looking at him, and he took this as his cue. "Premier Radchenko, there would also be required some acts to be passed to support this transition. While we have not got any specifics written down, Miss Maslow and myself would be perfectly willing to draft up this proposal in full, as well as details on its supporting acts and prospective social programs."
The Premier waited a moment before responding, an odd look on his face. "It's risky, very risky."
Amalie's lips formed a thin line. "Yes, sir, it is. But any plan we come up with is going to be risky."
Stepan spoke immediately after she had finished. "If you require some time for more plans to be formulated sir, we will give that to you. In the mean time it will allow us to put the finishing touches on our own plan."
The Premier nodded. "I think that would be for the best, Doctor. It is brilliantly crafted if I must say Miss Maslow, but we must know all there is about the possible repercussions and necessary actions before we make any moves. We cannot throw our nation into turmoil because of a failed hunch." The Premier addressed the other three in the room. "Now what about you three? Any other plans?"
Severograd, Severyan D.P.R.
16 Dein 1582
It was strange for Stepan Dmitriev to be where he was now after a lifetime as an economist in Siora's largest communist nation. He had, in the course of his career, studied capitalism so few times he could count the incidents on one hand. Though he sat now before one of the now most famous men in Severyane's history, alongside four of his colleagues from universities across the nation, discussing something that would have been a criminal offense just fifteen years ago. It had shocked him really when the first words out of the Premier's mouth were "change" and "free-market." It was something Stepan never thought he'd experience in his lifetime. A smile played across his face as the Premier turned to face the five people again a look of intense commitment to change present on his face.
"As I've said, you five are consistently hailed as the best economists in our nation. I could have reached beyond our borders in the search for a method of transition, but that would only cheapen our step into a new era. I want this to be wholly a project of Severyan making. We start here, today. I expect it to be a long and arduous process, but I have nothing but the utmost faith that you five will be able to come up with an efficient plan for economic transition. Unfortunately for us, there is not much precedent for this sort of thing. We can look to Kubaniza and the other ex-USR nations for inspiration but, with the exception of our south-eastern neighbors, the ex-USR systems are fractured and corrupt or still have roots in a socialistic market. So tell me, gentlemen, have you any ideas thus far?"
He looked to the woman two chairs to his left, his partner in this whole venture as it were was Amalie Maslow a very brilliant woman and an equally brilliant economist. She raised her hand slightly to catch the Premier's attention before speaking. "Premier Radchenko, if I may, I have been constructing such a plan since you first contacted me. It involves an unorthodox method, certainly untested on such a scale as this, but in theory it would work brilliantly if it succeeds. If you'd like me to explain in detail I certainly will."
The Premier nodded to her. "I'd love to hear this theory Miss Maslow."
"It involves something known as shock therapy. We would very abruptly release controls on price and currency, we would privatize certain industries just as immediately, and we would withdraw state subsidies. We would also move to liberalize our trade as immediately as possible as well. Ideally it would not only stabilize the economy, but would actually pave the way for growth. The downside is, and I've discussed this with Dr. Stepan Dmitriev, the potential for social issues to arise is quite high. As such we would need to dedicate government funds to social programs to assist those effected by the inevitable fallout from the transition."
Stepan noticed that Amalie had stopped speaking and was looking at him, and he took this as his cue. "Premier Radchenko, there would also be required some acts to be passed to support this transition. While we have not got any specifics written down, Miss Maslow and myself would be perfectly willing to draft up this proposal in full, as well as details on its supporting acts and prospective social programs."
The Premier waited a moment before responding, an odd look on his face. "It's risky, very risky."
Amalie's lips formed a thin line. "Yes, sir, it is. But any plan we come up with is going to be risky."
Stepan spoke immediately after she had finished. "If you require some time for more plans to be formulated sir, we will give that to you. In the mean time it will allow us to put the finishing touches on our own plan."
The Premier nodded. "I think that would be for the best, Doctor. It is brilliantly crafted if I must say Miss Maslow, but we must know all there is about the possible repercussions and necessary actions before we make any moves. We cannot throw our nation into turmoil because of a failed hunch." The Premier addressed the other three in the room. "Now what about you three? Any other plans?"
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